Rotating assembly for alignment of string tools

ABSTRACT

A rotating assembly for alignment of tool strings including a tubing joint, and a component mounted to the tubing joint, the component being axial movement restricted and rotatable on the joint. A method for running in a borehole a string with components thereon that require alignment including a threading adjacent joints of tubing together, the joints having components thereon, rotating the components to align with each other, and connecting the components operably to one another. A downhole system including a string, and a plurality of components that require alignment with one another, the components axially immovably and rotatably movably mounted to the string.

BACKGROUND

In the drilling and completion industry, running strings having variouscomponents that require alignment with one another in order to properlyconnect with one another, communicate, convey fluid, etc. is anextremely common occurrence. Alignment of such components has invariablyrequired timing of threads in adjacent tubulars forming the base string.The method has been perfected over many decades and works exceptionallywell for aligning components needing such treatment but it alsoincreases cost in manufacture, increases time in running the string,etc. With increasing complexity of strings being run, the requirementsfor alignment are not likely to ebb. The art would therefore be quitereceptive to alternate methods for aligning components on adjacentjoints without resorting to the timing of threads.

SUMMARY

A rotating assembly for alignment of tool strings including a tubingjoint, and a component mounted to the tubing joint, the component beingaxial movement restricted and rotatable on the joint.

A method for running in a borehole a string with components thereon thatrequire alignment including a threading adjacent joints of tubingtogether, the joints having components thereon, rotating the componentsto align with each other, and connecting the components operably to oneanother.

A downhole system including a string, and a plurality of components thatrequire alignment with one another, the components axially immovably androtatably movably mounted to the string.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way.With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numberedalike:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two adjacent joints of tubing stringhaving components thereon requiring alignment in an unaligned position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the two adjacent joints of FIG. 1 withcomponents thereon having been aligned;

FIG. 3 is the view of FIG. 2 but with a leakoff tube connecting the twoaligned components;

FIG. 4 is the view of FIG. 3 but with jumper tubes and connectorsillustrated;

FIG. 5 illustrates end rings of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of one end of one of the components toillustrate stopper rings; and

FIG. 7 is an alternate axial capture arrangement using a single stopperring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosedapparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification andnot limitation with reference to the Figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, two joints 10 and 12 of a tubing string 14 arecoupled together with a coupling 16. A component 18 is disposed upon oneof the joints and a component 20 on the other. While the componentsillustrated are shunt tube assemblies, the disclosure is not intended tobe limited only to such assemblies but to any assembly that wouldrequire alignment including any ancillary fluid conveying tubularassemblies that form an extended fluid conveyance, communication linesthat require alignment, etc. As illustrated, the components 18 and 20each comprise a shroud 22, two shunt tubes 24 and 26, a leak off tube 28and an end ring 30 and 32. While only one end ring is illustrated foreach component, it is contemplated in some embodiments that an end ring30 and 32 may be located on each end of such components. Rings 30 and or32, in the illustrated embodiment have recesses 34, 36 and 38,respectively, for passage of the shunt tubes 24 and 26 and the leak offtube 28. The recesses are labeled in FIG. 5.

In each case, the components 18 or 20 are disposed over a joint 10 or 12at a manufacturing location and then restricted in axial movement inthat position by stopper rings 40 that are most easily seen in FIG. 6.Stopper rings 40 may be continuous or discontinuous members that areproud of the surface of each joint and are located on an end of acomponent. Stopper rings 40 are secured to the joint 10 or 12 bysecurement means such as welding, interference fit, snap ring in agroove, etc. Stopper rings 40 on both axial ends of a component 18 or 20easily ensure axial restriction while allowing rotational movement.Alternatively, a single stopper ring 40 may be used if a componentcannot otherwise move axially on a joint for other structural reason orif the stopper ring 40 itself is captured such as by securing a capturering 42 (continuous or discontinuous) to end ring 30 with securement 44such as fasteners, weld, etc. as shown in FIG. 7.

In any event, with the components secured axially but allowed to rotateon their respective joints 10 and 12, the joints 10 and 12 may besecured together by threaded connection, which may be a coupling 16 asshown or a pin and box connection, without regard for timing of threads.Making up the joints then is a rapid and conventional affair. The stringand components will then appear as in FIG. 1. At this point, thecomponents 18 and 20 may be rotated on the joints 10 and 12 respectivelyuntil the components are aligned. In this case, alignment is related tothe shunt tubes 24 and 26 and leak off tube 28 of each of component 18and 20. Once aligned, as shown in FIG. 2, connection hardware can beengaged with these components to create a fluid pathway. Connectionhardware for the illustrated embodiment includes illustrated shunt tubejumpers 50 and 52 and leakoff jumper 54. Not illustrated but which willbe appreciated as a part of the connection hardware to one of ordinaryskill is another shroud to protect the jumper tubes. The shroud (notshown) that may be installed contemporaneously with the jumper tubes orshortly thereafter to protect the same for the trip downhole. Acommercial embodiment of connection hardware is available from BakerHughes Incorporated identifiable by Direct Pak Screen, product numberH48654.

FIG. 3 illustrates the string 14 after the leakoff tube jumper 54 isinstalled and FIG. 4 illustrates the string 14 after the shunt tubejumpers 50 and 52 are added. These are all connected to shunt tubes andleak off tubes by individual connectors 56 and 58 for example, in oneembodiment.

A method for running in a borehole a string with components thereon thatrequire alignment includes, threading adjacent joints together havingcomponents thereon; rotating the components to align with each other;and connecting the components operably to one another. In someembodiments connecting the components to one another includes theaddition of connection hardware while in other embodiments, thecomponents may be connected together directly.

Further contemplated herein is a downhole system comprising a string;and a plurality of components that require alignment with one another,the components axially immovably and rotatably movably mounted to thestring. The system includes one or more stop rings to restrict axialmovement of components. As illustrated the system also includes screens60 (best seen in FIG. 6) that are operationally cooperative with thecomponents, which are shunt tube assemblies to perform a gravel packingoperation.

Set forth below are some embodiments of the foregoing disclosure:

Embodiment 1

A rotating assembly for alignment of tool strings including a tubingjoint, and a component mounted to the tubing joint, the component beingaxial movement restricted and rotatable on the joint.

Embodiment 2

The assembly as in any prior embodiment further comprising a stopperring fixedly attached to the joint.

Embodiment 3

The assembly as in any prior embodiment wherein the stopper ring iswelded to the joint.

Embodiment 4

The assembly as in any prior embodiment wherein the component includesan end ring.

Embodiment 5

The assembly as in any prior embodiment wherein a cover ring is fixedlyattached to the end ring trapping a stopper ring therebetween.

Embodiment 6

The assembly as in any prior embodiment wherein the component includes aportion requiring alignment.

Embodiment 7

The assembly as in any prior embodiment wherein the component is a shunttube assembly.

Embodiment 8

The assembly as in any prior embodiment wherein the shunt tube assemblycomprises a shunt tube, a leak off tube and a shroud.

Embodiment 9

A method for running in a borehole a string with components thereon thatrequire alignment including a threading adjacent joints of tubingtogether, the joints having components thereon, rotating the componentsto align with each other, and connecting the components operably to oneanother.

Embodiment 10

The method as in any prior embodiment wherein the connecting includesengaging connection hardware.

Embodiment 11

A downhole system including a string, and a plurality of components thatrequire alignment with one another, the components axially immovably androtatably movably mounted to the string.

Embodiment 12

The system as in any prior embodiment further including one or morestopper rings to restrict axial movement of components.

Embodiment 13

The system as in any prior embodiment further including a screen inoperable communication with one or more of the plurality of components.

Embodiment 14

The system as in any prior embodiment wherein the components are shunttube assemblies configured to perform a gravel packing operation.

Embodiment 15

The system as in any prior embodiment further including jumper tubesconfigured to connect one component to the next component of theplurality of components.

Embodiment 16

The system as in any prior embodiment further including connectionhardware.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in thecontext of describing the invention (especially in the context of thefollowing claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and theplural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted bycontext. Further, it should further be noted that the terms “first,”“second,” and the like herein do not denote any order, quantity, orimportance, but rather are used to distinguish one element from another.The modifier “about” used in connection with a quantity is inclusive ofthe stated value and has the meaning dictated by the context (e.g., itincludes the degree of error associated with measurement of theparticular quantity).

The teachings of the present disclosure may be used in a variety of welloperations. These operations may involve using one or more treatmentagents to treat a formation, the fluids resident in a formation, awellbore, and/or equipment in the wellbore, such as production tubing.The treatment agents may be in the form of liquids, gases, solids,semi-solids, and mixtures thereof. Illustrative treatment agentsinclude, but are not limited to, fracturing fluids, acids, steam, water,brine, anti-corrosion agents, cement, permeability modifiers, drillingmuds, emulsifiers, demulsifiers, tracers, flow improvers etc.Illustrative well operations include, but are not limited to, hydraulicfracturing, stimulation, tracer injection, cleaning, acidizing, steaminjection, water flooding, cementing, etc.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplaryembodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substitutedfor elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention.In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particularsituation or material to the teachings of the invention withoutdeparting from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intendedthat the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosedas the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but thatthe invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope ofthe claims. Also, in the drawings and the description, there have beendisclosed exemplary embodiments of the invention and, although specificterms may have been employed, they are unless otherwise stated used in ageneric and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation,the scope of the invention therefore not being so limited.

What is claimed is:
 1. A rotating assembly for alignment of tool stringscomprising: a tubing joint; and a component mounted to the tubing joint,the component being axial movement restricted and rotatable on thejoint.
 2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising astopper ring fixedly attached to the joint.
 3. The assembly as claimedin claim 2 wherein the stopper ring is welded to the joint.
 4. Theassembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the component includes an endring.
 5. The assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein a cover ring isfixedly attached to the end ring trapping a stopper ring therebetween.6. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the component includes aportion requiring alignment.
 7. The assembly as claimed in claim 1wherein the component is a shunt tube assembly.
 8. The assembly asclaimed in claim 7 wherein the shunt tube assembly comprises a shunttube, a leak off tube and a shroud.
 9. A method for running in aborehole a string with components thereon that require alignmentcomprising: threading adjacent joints of tubing together, the jointshaving components thereon; rotating the components to align with eachother; and connecting the components operably to one another.
 10. Themethod as claimed in claim 9 wherein the connecting includes engagingconnection hardware.
 11. A downhole system comprising: a string; and aplurality of components that require alignment with one another, thecomponents axially immovably and rotatably movably mounted to thestring.
 12. The system as claimed in claim 11 further including one ormore stopper rings to restrict axial movement of components.
 13. Thesystem as claimed in claim 11 further including a screen in operablecommunication with one or more of the plurality of components.
 14. Thesystem as claimed in claim 11 wherein the components are shunt tubeassemblies configured to perform a gravel packing operation.
 15. Thesystem as claimed in claim 11 further including jumper tubes configuredto connect one component to the next component of the plurality ofcomponents.
 16. The system as claimed in claim 11 further includingconnection hardware.